Golf Digest signs on as Western sponsor

Golf Digest signed on Tuesday to be a presenting sponsor of this year's Western Open.

The golf monthly will be featured in the official title for the July tournament at Cog Hill: The 100th Western Open presented by Golf Digest.

The pact is a one-year agreement. According to sources, the Western still has a long-term deal in place with Eli Lilly to use its new drug, Cialis, as the title sponsor.

Cialis is Lilly's equivalent to Viagra. The company is expected to receive approval for Cialis by the Food and Drug Administration later this year. If that happens, the 2004 event will be called the Cialis Western Open.

The Western wouldn't comment on Cialis. It was thrilled to be able to hook up with Golf Digest this year.

Golf Digest has a number of the game's top players on its roster of paid contributors, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Woods indicated Monday he plans to play in the Western. Golf Digest's association could lure players like Mickelson.

- Even though the U.S. Open is a sellout, a limited number of tickets will be available for the three practice rounds June 9-11. They will be sold June 5-8 at the ticket sales trailer at Olympia Fields Country Club.

Practice-round tickets will cost $35, with a limit of four tickets per person. Junior tickets (ages 13-17) sell for $15. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.